FINAL TEST.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 192, 14 August 1936, Page 13

FINAL TEST.

LEAGUE FOOTBALL ENGLAND V. NEW ZEALAND. THE TEAMS FOR TO-MORROW. The visiting English Rugby League team will Wind up their New Zealand tour at Carlaw Park to-morrow afternoon, when they will meet the New Zealand thirteen in the second and final Test. Another fast, open and close contest is anticipated, and the question which is exercising the minds of supporters of the code at the *110111 ent is whether or not the visitors will be able to continue their unbeaten record so far as matches in the Dominion are concerned. The teams for the big engagement are: — ENGLAND. Full-back: J. Brough. Three-quarters: A. S. Edwards, A. J. Risman, S. Brogden, W. Belshaw. Half-backs: W. Watkins, E. Jenkins. Forwards: T. Armitt, H. Field, J. H. Woods, J. Arkwright, J. Miller, M. Hodgson, L. A. Troup (one to be omitted). NEW ZEALAND. Full-back: C. Dempsey. Three-quarters: E. Mincham, W. Tittleton, L. Brown. Five-eighths: T. Trevathan, A. Kay. Half-back: R. Powell. Forwards: W. McNeight, W. Glynn. J. Culder, J. Cootes, F. Pickrang, S. Watene. Mr. M. Wetherill will be referee, and Messrs. P. Rogers and R. Otto linesmen. The visitors will be led by their captain, Brough, who did not appear in the first Test last Saturday, while Belshaw, who played in his stead last week, will replace B. Hudson in the three-quarter line. The forwards are unchanged apart from the fact that Arkwright might be given a game instead of one of the sextet which took the field last Saturday. Well-balanced Team. The Englishmen will field another wellbalanced thirteen, and, with the Courtney Goodwill trophy 110 longer at stake they are likely to play a different type of game from that served up in the first major contest of the series. Their play hist Saturday was solid rather than brilliant, but to-morrow they can be relied upon to play the same care-free game which they played when they met Auckland in the opening match of their New Zealand tour. If they do that the crowd will be provided with plenty of thrills, as the ball will travel swiftly to the visitors' speedy wingers. The generalship of Brough should make a difference to the side. While

Belshaw will be playing out of position he gave a sufficient glimpse of his great football ability last week to lead to the conclusion that he will prove an excellent substitute for the hard, straightrunning Hudson. Brogden has impressed the crowds on this tour by his nippiness and fleetnese on the move, and he and Risman, who will share the centre berths, will give the backs the required thrust to bring the wingers tries, unless the defence is continually on the alert. Little need be written of the half-backs, Jenkins and Watkins, who in all their matches have cut the defence to shreds on occasion with speedy and clever bursts from the scrum. They are two of the most dangerous men in the side when the line i 6 in sight, and will have to be watched continually to-morrow. The forwards are the same solid lot which out-raked the New Zealanders in the last encounter, and they have only to repeat their earlier performances to give their chain aii the opportunities they desire. N.Z. Hopes Running High. In view of the fine showing of the New Zealand team last week, when they held tlie visitors to a win by the slender margin of 10 points to 8, hopes for the success of the home thirteen are running particularly high. Two changes only have been made in the team, these being necessary because. of injuries. C. Dempsey, the Newton and Auckland full-back, will take the place of J. Hemi, while Mincham, the Richmond three-quarter, will be starred on the wing in place of Len Scott. The New Zealanders teamed well last Saturday, and the fact that they have had one game together and have put in another week of solid training, point-? to them acquitting themselves with greater honour than in their first match. Dempsey will be wearing the New Zealand jersey for the first time, and the experience he gained in the Auckland representative match with the Englishmen should stand him in good stead. Mincham has previously represented New Zealand, and it was surprising that he did not make the Auckland team, as he has been playing exceptionally well in club football this season. Tittleton has been one of the best backs on the ground in both the games in which he has played against the visitors, and if he maintains his form the Englishmen, should be effectively silenced. Trevathan and Kay are a pair of sound five-eighths, whose defence last week rose above their attack for want of opportuni-

ties, but it is hoped to-morrow that they will 'see more of the ball and be capable of giving the Englishmen- a taste of their own medicine. Powell is safe and sound in all departments at half-back, and he will open up the play if the ball is heeled to him. The forwards played grandly last Saturday and the only direction in 1. which they can improve on their play is by gaining possession of the ball in the set scrums. Whatever the result of the game turns out to be, it is confidently felt that the New Zealand side will trouble the opposition from bell to bell, and there 1 does not seem any likelihood of the Engt lishmen gaining a. runaway victory. 1 Another great crowd will undoubtedly 1 flock to League headquarters, and in ( order that early arrivals will be kept 1 interested curtain-raisers will be played 3 from 12.30 p.m. Record of the Tour. \ The English team lias won eaeli of its seven matches on its New Zealand tour, • having scored 189 points and having only t 45 points registered against it. Details are as follow:— Pts. Pts. Auckland England 22 Auckland .... 10 Wellington England 48 Wellington .. 8 Sth. Island England 17 South Island 3 Taranukl England 35 Taranaki .... 4 Sth. Auck. England Sth. Auckland 0 , X. Zealand England 10 New Zealand . 8 Northland England 34 Northland ... 0